There are few things I feel more ambivalent toward than chick flicks. On the one hand, they're tedious, predictable drivel that almost insult the viewer with their stereotypical characters, cookie-cutter plots and unrealistic portrayals that turn habitual watchers into idealistic love zombies. On the other hand, sometimes I just need a dose of sappy trash.

All of this is what I was expecting "The Vow" to pitch me. Instead, this romantic drama (the rom-drom, if you will) packs more authenticity than all the romance flicks I saw last year combined.

Going only on the movie's premise, "The Vow" does not sound so progressive. Husband Leo (Channing Tatum) and wife Paige (Rachel McAdams) get in a car accident that leaves Paige in a coma. When she comes out of it, all memory of her marriage to Leo is gone, and he must overcome odds and obstacles to win back her love.

But, "The Vow" is more than this simple, cut-and-dry synopsis. There are no whimsical montages. There are no grand, elaborate gestures. There is no steadfastly devoted, superhuman husband. And there's no magical moment where everything clicks, Paige's memory returns and the couple embraces in slow motion to the swell of a movie score. Instead, the audience sees the awkward attempts at normalcy. Frustration. Guilt. Desperation. Fights and reconciliation, progress and stumbles. It's a rare, but refreshing, move to take.

The only real disappointment for me was the film's fall-back on the "rival ex" plot device. Ex-fiance Jeremy (Scott Speedman) shows up later in the film after Paige seeks solace with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange). His involvement is lame clutter that adds little to the story.

I had hoped they would have elaborated on Paige's past with her family instead and given the grossly underutilized Neill and Lange something to do, but the audience must make due with a story arc that falls short and fledgling multi-dimensional characters that get swept under the rug.

It's a small failing in a film that, overall, is worth much more than its generic previews and Valentine's Day open. On the other hand, "The Vow" may be just what the V-Day filmgoer set needs to de-zombify.

More Information…

Talkbacks

Facebook comments

Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.

Recent Articles & Blogs by Renee Lorenz

Classic gangsters loved a good embarrassment of riches. And for a movie like "Gangster Squad," showing off is fine. But, when the swanky style of the era meets the stylized swank of the movie's own excesses, things get out of hand.

It feels like not a week goes by without someone posting something about how Facebook's invading everyone's privacy, spying on your browser history, etc., ad nauseum. (These posts are usually made on Facebook, by the way.) I understand the generic concern over the Orwellian slippery slope, but it doesn't take me too long to re-assess and arrive back at my old conclusion: Who cares?

Although outsiders may not see Milwaukee as a hotbed for the performing arts, locals know there's plenty of talent to go around. And, there are numerous venues across the city that proudly show off area actors, dancers and musicians. But, despite the wide array of opportunities available, Katie Rhyme and Karen Zakrzewski still felt something important was missing.

Well, it took director Quentin Tarantino 20 years, but he finally got his Western ... kinda. Although it's fair to say he's been preparing his entire career with his raucously bloody shoot-'em-ups, Tarantino's time warming up has been well spent if "Django Unchained" is the final result

Unlike most middle-aged men, Judd Apatow can afford a whole garage of Camaros and Mustangs. So, it makes sense that his mid-life crisis would manifest not with a youthful car buy, but by splurging on the production of a new movie.

They say time flies when you're having fun. I don't know who "they" are (probably those terrifyingly upbeat "glass half full" people), but they nailed it. My 2012 is a blur of exciting times and memorable moments, most of which my lawyers have advised me not to discuss in detail. There's still plenty to talk about, though, and I've shared the highlights below.

Eleven years after "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" introduced audiences to the majesty of director Peter Jackson's Middle-earth, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" makes a triumphant return to the mythical land with a new trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit."

After being tasked with putting together an actual wish list, I'm legitimately afraid of the death glare I'll get if I hand over my ultra-practical, completely un-whimsical list of stuff I want. So, I'm posting it here.

About Renee Lorenz

Contrary to her natural state of being, Renee Lorenz is a total optimist when it comes to Milwaukee. Since beginning her career with OnMilwaukee.com, her occasional forays into the awesomeness that is the Brew City have turned into an overwhelming desire to discover anything and everything that's new, fun or just ... "different."

Expect her random musings to cover both the new and "new-to-her" aspects of Miltown goings-on, in addition to periodically straying completely off-topic, which usually manifests itself in the form of an obscure movie reference.